Lawmakers speak out on ethics reform

July 9, 2005
WMCTV

Local Ldrs Tlk Ethics:Anna Marie Hartman

Tennessee's General Assembly made national news when its ethics were questioned as part of an FBI sting. Ethics reform is a hot topic on Capitol Hill and in Mid-South living rooms.

At the Dutch Treat luncheon, voters engage in the old fashioned way of talking politics, face to face over a hot plate and a cold beverage. The format may be old, but the seriousness of Saturday's hot topic is unprecedented. They want to know how the Tennesseans can heal from a bribery and corruption scandal at the state capitol.

"We, as state legislators, have to speak out against the corruption that's taken place," said Rep. Brian Kelsy, a Memphis Republican. "It's very important."

Restoring public confidence in the legislature will not be easy.

"Public confidence in our state government has been shaken in the last several last several months," said Shelby County Democrat Sen. Jim Kyle.

Kyle will serve on a special committee that will review state ethics laws. That panel may avert the need to hold a special session. But some lawmakers say they don't want to be left out of the discussion.

"Without a doubt, we have got to call a special session," said Kelsey. "That's the only way we're going to begin to restore public confidence in the legislature."

"Should we have a special session? Personally, I think the answer to that is yes," said Memphis Republican Paul Stanley.

"I believe we do need a special session to deal with ethics reform and in particular an independent ethics commission," said Republican Mark Norris.

While lawmakers wait for the governor to call them back to Nashville, some say the best way to prevent dirty politics is the public eye.

"When people keep watch over the elected officials, that is the best ethics enforcement," said Memphis Republican Mike Kernell.